Weight-lifting apparatus



UNiT-ED STATES PATENT riucn.

4D. I5. BUTLER, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

WEIGHT-LIFTING APPARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 48,050, dated June 6,1565.

4Vi/'eight-Lifting Apparatus; and I dohereby declare that the following,taken in connection with the drawing which accompanies and forms part ofthis specification, is a description of my invention suflicient toenable those skilled in the art to practice it.`"`

This invention relates to the construction of a weight-lifting apparatusto be used for hygienic purposes, and has particular reference to theconstruction and arrangement of a table with a weight or weightssuspended under the center thereof upon a rod passing up through thetable, and having al handle upon its upper end by which the weight islifted.

Apparatus having this general arrangement is well known and my inventionconsists in the `details of construction by which such a mechanism ordevice is compacted and simplified, and made adjustable and efficientfor use for individuals possessing different degrees of strength andvarying in form and size, and having capabilities of graduation tocomport with an individual development of strength and improvement inphysical form from exercise with the apparatus.

The drawing represents a vertical cross-sec- Y tion of the apparatus.

c denotes the table-top; b, a weight-holding rod extending verticallythrough the table; c, the weights supported on the rod; d', the handleat the top of the rod.

Instead of lifting the weights directly from the iioor, I support therod upon a spring, g,(the rod passing through a tube depending from thespring,) by means of a nut or collar, h, the effect of which is that thejar or concussion produced by the descent of the weights to the tloorisobviated, and the strain produced by sudden lifting of the whole of theweightv is prevented, because the upward pressure of the springovercomes part of thc weight, and the strain upon the muscles is therebyrendered gradual.

The nut h may be cushioned upon the spring by an elastic washer, t', andthe spring upon the surface of the table by elastic pieces I alsoprovide elastic bedpieces Z for the table to rest upon, and elasticsurfaces m for the person to stand upon to prevent slipping, these alltending to render an exercise comparatively' noiseless, and free fromjarring effects upon the user of the apparatus.

To adapt the apparatus to the use of persons of different heights or tothe use of the same person in different attitudes, I so apl ply theweight-rod that it can be adjusted to elevate or lower the handle d withrespect to the surface of the table, this being effected by means of ascrew -thread upon the rod and the nut h, as will be readily understood.Thus, before using, the height of the handle is fixed to match theheight or form of the particular person about to lift the weights.

In the employment of common weights upon the rod, much difficulty isexperienced from their jarring off or becoming detached in raising andlowering them. I therefore construct the weights for .special adaptationto the purpose of the apparatus, making the weight, as a whole,sectional, and giving to each section a a depression inits lower surfaceand a projection upon its upper surface, so that they fit one upon orinto the other or others, and cannot be separated by any jar which theapparatus may receive. These sections being generally quite heavy, Iprovide each one with depressions o, (as seen in the sectional drawing,and also at A,\vhich denotes an under side view of one of the weights,)by means of which they can easily be raised and removed by hand, one ormore together, from the others.

For the purpose of giving portability to the apparatus, and fin orderthat it may be easily' taken apart and put together and packed fortransportation, thus enabling it to be made and sold as an article ofmanufacture, and to be readily set up in offices and dwelling-houses,the parts may be put together by screws and pins, requiring nomechanical skill to set up or take down the table and lifting mechanism.

A Weightlifting apparatus having a construction and capability ofadjustment substantially as described.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of March,A. D. 1865.

D. j P. BUTLER.

Witnesses:

J. B. CRosBY, F. GoULD.

